Why we’re writing about this: The HIV epidemic isn’t over, especially as HIV criminalization, ignorance and stigma keep the virus spreading worldwide. Here’s a round-up of world HIV news that’ll keep you informed about how the U.S. and other countries are handling the epidemic in the new millennium.

The Czech Republic’s public health department filed criminal charges against 30 gay HIV positive men diagnosed with an additional sexually transmitted infection. Officials claim the men must be having condomless sex, violating national criminal code for HIV+ people.

Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services called for condoms to be distributed in prisons to aid HIV prevention. However the head of Namibia’s largest prison says condoms cannot be distributed because they would ‘encourage’ same-sex activity which is illegal. Also from Namibia, advocates for sex workers and LGBTI people warn that, though undocumented, HIV rates are high among the community due to discrimination in health services.

Unicorn Booty brings attentions to global issues of significance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Our partnership with Equal Eyes, a news source produced in collaboration with UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, is part of that effort. To learn more, visit their site at Equal-Eyes.org.

This coverage promotes sexual and gender equality while highlighting issues of health, violence, culture, and legal and human rights. Equal Eyes provides advocates and allies a common frame of reference for the realities of global LGBTI communities. Through followup reporting and disseminating this coverage, our effort is to ensure we have a representation of the global stories that matter most or may have under-reporting.